Turkey seeks jail term for Knicks’ Enes Kanter for insulting …
ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey's state-run news agency says prosecutors are seeking more than four years in prison for NBA player Enes Kanter on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Anadolu Agency says an indictment prepared by the Istanbul chief prosecutor's office accuses the New York Knicks center of insulting the president in a series of tweets he posted in May and June 2016.
Kanter, who is in the United States, would be tried in absentia.
Kanter said on Wednesday that he isn't bothered by the potential indictment.
"You guys were seeing today that I was just out there having fun, playing basketball and practicing with my teammates," Kanter said. "... You guys are going to say, 'How do you get used to, like, prison, this and that, whatever?' I think it's just nothing to me, man, because I'm in America. I'm good. My focus right now is just going out there, playing basketball, having fun with my teammates and just winning, and just thinking about playoffs. I don't really think about all this stuff, whatever. They can do whatever they want to do."
Kanter, who grew up in Turkey, is a vocal supporter of Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric blamed by Turkey for last year's failed military coup. Kanter was detained in Romania on May 20 because his Turkish passport was canceled. He said he was able to return to the United States after American officials intervened.
The Knicks center said he found out about the indictment on Wednesday morning.
"I was like, 'Oh, four years.' I was like, 'That's it? Only four years? All the trash I've been talking?' I said I promise you guys, it doesn't really bother me a little, even one bit," he said. "My thing is just going out there and just playing basketball."
Kanter was asked Wednesday if he hopes the situation in his country can change.
"The only thing you can do is just pray for all these innocent people in Turkey," he said. "People don't understand. They're saying your family is still back in Turkey -- why are you doing all of this? Why are you talking? I'm just trying to be the voice of all of these innocent people, man. Because all of these innocent people are just going through really tough times. Journalists, innocent people in jail getting tortured and killed and kidnapped. And it's pretty messed up."
He added that the Knicks' success on the court would be a good way to answer back to the government.
"If we make playoffs, then that will drive him crazy, so that's what I'm really focused on right now, just make the playoffs and drive this dude crazy," he said.
Of Erdogan, Kanter added: "That dude is maniac. Think about it. I mean, America ... you've got freedom of whatever you want to say. I mean, it's a free country. But it's not like that in Turkey. You cannot criticize or you cannot even say nothing bad about the dude, Erdogan. Just, like, say he's a bad guy and you're in a prison. It's politics. People can choose or say whatever they want to say. I think right now the situation there is pretty messed up."
ESPN's Ian Begley and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read more:
Turkey seeks jail term for Knicks' Enes Kanter for insulting ...
- Turkey's Erdogan appoints legal team to draft new constitution, sparking fears of extended rule - AP News - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Opinion | Erdogan Might Have Finally Gone Too Far - The New York Times - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Nuclear bomb, dream of becoming Muslim world leader, India exposed Turkey's thorium plan, Erdogan angry due t - India.Com - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Sharaa Turkey welcomes lifting of Syria sanctions - Reuters - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan says he has 'no interest in being re-elected' - thenationalnews.com - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Lachin airport will greatly contribute to regional development, global integration - Latest news from Azerbaijan - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Turkeys Erdogan reiterates pledge not to run for another term - Middle East Monitor - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Turkish president Erdogan arrives in Lachin to attend airport opening - AzerNews - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Trkiye-Syria cooperation will grow in all areas: Turkish President Erdogan tells Syrian counterpart - Anadolu Ajans - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- With Erdogan in Paks corner, how should India deal with Turkiye? - Times of India - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Ukraine's Zelenskiy arrives in Turkey for talks with Erdogan - Reuters - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Erdogan made it clear to Macron that the "trick will not work" with him Pushkov - EADaily - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Turkey frees a Swedish journalist who was convicted for insulting President Erdogan - AP News - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Trkiye-US partnership key to global and regional stability - TRT Global - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan hopes to achieve definitive result from Russia-Ukraine peace talks - Deccan Herald - May 19th, 2025 [May 19th, 2025]
- Erdogan's global peacemaker spotlight hides tumult within Turkey - Reuters - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- How Erdogan went from pariah to peacemaker - The Times - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Column | Trumps Middle East trip makes it a big week for Turkeys Erdogan - The Washington Post - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- See Zelensky arrive in Ankara to meet with Erdogan - CNN - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Why Erdogan cant crush the Kurds They have always moved with the times - UnHerd - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan's daughter not owner, we are not Turkish: Aviation firm on losing clearance - India Today - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan and bin Salman said to join Trumps meeting with Syrias al-Sharaa - The Times of Israel - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Zelenskiy that Turkey to host him, Putin when they are ready - Reuters - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan Basks In Glory As PKK Disbands, U.S. Lifts Sanctions On Syria & Pakistan Thanks Turkish President For Peace In S.Asia - EurAsian Times - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan bolsters Turkeys position as an indispensable international mediator - Monocle - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Erdogan tells Zelenskiy that Turkey to host him, Putin when they are ready - Global Banking | Finance | Review - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Zelenskyy arrives in Turkey for talks with Erdogan - nhk.or.jp - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Zelenskyy arrives in Ankara for talks with Erdogan ahead of Russia-Ukraine meeting - Trkiye Today - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Zelensky has arrived in Ankara. There he will meet with Turkish President Erdogan - - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Trump says he had a productive call with Turkey's Erdogan, visits planned - Reuters - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump, Erdogan discuss Gaza, Syria in good and productive phone conversation - The Times of Israel - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Turkey's Erdogan tells Trump to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza - Middle East Eye - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump has productive call with Erdogan, visits planned - eKathimerini.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- COMMENT: Turkish oppositions efforts to bring down Erdogan regime are just not working - bne IntelliNews - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- We had a good talk: Trump is going to involve Erdogan in the peace process in Ukraine - EADaily - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump says he had a productive call with Turkey's Erdogan, visits planned - Colorado Springs Gazette - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan, Trump discuss Gaza crisis, defense ties, and Syria stability in phone call - Trkiye Today - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Mitsotakis-Erdogan Meeting Date to Be Finalized in Antalya - tovima.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump and Erdogan discuss Ukraine war, Syria, and Gaza issues - Investing.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Trump says he had a productive call with Turkey's Erdogan, visits planned - marketscreener.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus will last for centuries - eKathimerini.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Turkish Cypriots protest hijab law as Erdogan visits amid fears of Islamisation and corruption cover-ups - Middle East Monitor - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan says Turkeys presence on Cyprus will last for centuries - eKathimerini.com - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan, Meloni vow to bolster Italy-Turkey ties - The New Arab - May 5th, 2025 [May 5th, 2025]
- Turkeys Rate Path in Limbo in Wake of Erdogan Rivals Arrest - Bloomberg.com - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- For Turkish youths, anti-Erdogan protests have stirred an awakening - The Washington Post - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Turkish court rejects appeal seeking release of key Erdogan rival from jail - AP News - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Whoever obstructs Syrias path to peace, stability will find us standing with Damascus - Middle East Monitor - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan slams silence of Western media on Gaza - breakingthenews.net - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Erdogan: Gaza reduced to 50 million tons of debris - breakingthenews.net - April 18th, 2025 [April 18th, 2025]
- Trump says he can mediate between Israel and Turkey, has a great relationship with Erdogan - The Times of Israel - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Turkey's opposition vows to sustain protests over jailing of Erdogan's main rival - Reuters - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Arrest of Erdogan Rival Triggered Record Exit from Turkey Bonds - Bloomberg - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Trump publicly disappoints Netanyahu, stresses very good relationship with Erdogan - Trkiye Today - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Trump gave his backing to Erdogan's arrest of main political rival Imamoglu, claims opposition leader - bne IntelliNews - April 8th, 2025 [April 8th, 2025]
- Anti-Erdogan protests: What lies ahead for Turkey? - DW - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- Erdogan expects Trump to turn positive rhetoric into action amid US tariff issues - TRT World - April 5th, 2025 [April 5th, 2025]
- Turkeys protests over the arrest of an Erdogan rival take a new angle: Boycott shopping - AP News - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Next US ambassador to Turkey urges Erdogan not to clash with Trump - eKathimerini.com - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Echoing Hamas, Erdogan reportedly calls for Israel's destruction amid push to rekindle ties with Trump - Fox News - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Turkish opposition stages rally, announces campaign to defeat Erdogan - The Washington Post - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Erdogan condemns Israel in Eid al-Fitr speech, calls for global action on Gaza - eKathimerini.com - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, gather at Istanbul rally to protest against Erdogan - The Times of Israel - April 3rd, 2025 [April 3rd, 2025]
- Erdogan accuses the opposition of wrecking Turkey's economy during protests over mayor's jailing - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- 'The police are coming to kill us': Inside Turkey's uprising against Erdogan - Israel Hayom - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan was emboldened to jail Istanbul mayor by global turmoil, analysts say - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Tells Putin Cooperation With Russia Key to Resolving Regional Conflicts - The Moscow Times - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Turkey detains journalists as protests grow over the jailing of key Erdogan rival - The Associated Press - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Bets World Will Turn a Blind Eye to Turmoil in Turkey - Bloomberg - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- What's Erdogan's end game with Imamoglu's arrest? - Middle East Eye - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - The Hazard Herald - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Protesters take to streets of Istanbul again over arrest of Erdogan's rival - FRANCE 24 English - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - RFI English - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Trkiye, Russia cooperation is key to resolving regional issues President Erdogan - TRT World - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- In photos and videos: Turkey cracks down on protests after Erdogan rival is jailed - The Washington Post - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan turns sights on opposition CHP with his main rival in jail - News-shield - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Erdogan Is Trying to Divide and Conquer Turkeys Opposition - Foreign Policy - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- News Wrap: Turkey police crack down on protests that erupted after arrest of Erdogan rival - PBS NewsHour - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Turkey detains journalists as protests over the jailing of key Erdogan rival rock the country - ABC News - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]
- Cash Arsenal Allows Erdogan to Weather His Worst Crisis in Years - Bloomberg - March 28th, 2025 [March 28th, 2025]